Microalbuminuria: a Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Albumin is a protein which is charged negatively. By correcting for the daily excretion of creatinine, the albumin creatinin ratio implicates the daily excretion of albumin in spot urine. Albuminuria is a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and the general population. Urinary albumin excretion is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, even after adjustment for risk factors. Risk has been shown to increase continuously with increasing urinary albumin levels. Urinary albumin excretion rate should be monitorized routinely in a group of patients with high cardiovascular risk.